World News

Russia has warned the US military twice in the last week that its forces, along with Syrian regime units, are prepared to attack in an area where dozens of US troops are located, according to several US defense officials.

Russia claims that there are militants in the area protected by US troops.

Moscow's declaration has sharply raised US commanders' concerns that American forces would be at risk if a Russian attack goes forward. And it has sparked US warnings to Moscow not to challenge the US military presence.

Several US defense officials are saying that concerns center on a US-led anti-ISIS coalition base at At Tanf.

US troops help monitor a 55-kilometer (34-mile) exclusion zone around At Tanf. Given its location near the borders of Syria, Jordan and Iraq, the At Tanf garrison is seen as a key strategic location as the US, Iran and Russia compete for influence in the region.

There is concern the Russians could use aircraft or their naval warships in the eastern Mediterranean to launch a missile attack against what they say are militants, sparking a confrontation that could inadvertently draw in US forces if Russian targeting is not precise.

So far, no buildup of Russian ground forces has been observed in recent days, officials said.

US officials would not say how Moscow conveyed its warning to Washington.

Defense Secretary James Mattis and Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are aware of the latest intelligence, officials said. US troops in the area, as always, have the right of self-defense if they are attacked and would not need to ask permission from higher levels of the government before acting.

While the situation is described by one US official as "concerning," there clearly is US interest in discussing Moscow's warning to ensure the Russians have a clear view of any potential US military response.

"We have absolutely advised them to stay out of At Tanf," one US official said. "We are postured to respond."

"The United States does not seek to fight the government of Syria or any groups that may be providing it support. However, if attacked, the United States will not hesitate to use necessary and proportionate force to defend US, coalition or partner forces," a defense official said.

US officials, however, are stopping short of discussing what military weapons and measures are in place for the protection of US troops.

Russian complaints about the presence of potential Al Qaeda or ISIS fighters in the buffer zone are not new, the US officials point out. But with an imminent Russian-backed assault by Syrian regime forces in the Idlib area in the north, there is concern Moscow could see this as an optimum time to conduct multiple offensive operations.

pull all foreign troops out of that area and let them go at it. those people have been killing each other over a religion for over 1400 years. let them have at it and settle it once and for all. not worth the life of one soldier who signed up to defend his country. Russia will learn the hard way like they did in Afghanistan. just like the us did in Vietnam.

1400? Try 3500 ...
The Jews BRAG about and SELF DOCUMENT THEIR "holocausting" others and then "PLACE A YOKE" on Gentiles for SUPPOSEDLY doing the exact same thing to them.
Everything they claim the nazis did is an EXACT COPY of their own self-recorded acts/history..
Deuteronomy 7:16, 20:16 “And thou shalt consume all the peoples which the Lord thy God shall deliver unto thee; thine eye shall not pity them…thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth.”

Do you truly understand the days of Noah, and why Joshua and Caleb destroyed men, women, children, and animals, so completely and mercilessly? And why Noah was perfect in his generations? Discernment is necessary to truly understand the Old Testament. As in the days of Noah, so it shall be when the Son of Man returns.

The US is more likely to do that than Russia. We've been doing that since 9/11, but blaming it on everyone else. I love what this country was founded on, and I love all the citizens, even the jerks and fools. But our government is monstrous. One of these days, our cup will run over, and we'll finally wake up and be forced to look in the mirror, but it will be too late. God has blessed America, God has had mercy on America, God is great and wonderful, but the spoiled, out of control, unrepentant child will finally get a spanking.

"Or what", is right! Are you serious? The whole "chlorine gas" in Syria and "Novichok" lies are so transparently obvious that only a fool would believe them for a minute. The Russians are in Syria at the invitation of Syria's lawful government. They are there to fight the completely illegal invasion force that the U.S., the U.K. and their Sunni Arab allies stood up, trained and equipped to overthrow the Assad government. These anti-Assad thugs are guilty of war crimes. So are the governments of the U.S., the U.K., the Saudis and the rest of the Sunni despots supporting this regime change operation. The anti-Assad thugs have lost the war, and that is a very good thing!